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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

RPPs’ case: SC issues notices on PM’s plea

By Hasnaat Malik

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has issued notices to PML-Q leader Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, PML N’s Khawaja Asif and NAB Chairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhari in Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s case seeking appointment of a commission in the rental power projects’ case.

The court has questioned whether the sitting prime minister does not trust the country’s anti-graft body, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and has requested appointment of a commission to probe the RPPs’ case, which has already been adjudicated. It also asked the counsel for the prime minister to tell how would the court give relief to the incumbent premier because he has already accepted the judgement by withdrawing his review petition in the RPPs case.

A three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammd Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed heard the case pertaining to the letter of Prime Minister Raja, who has requested appointment of an independent commission in the RPPs’ case. Wasim Sajjad, counsel for the prime minister contended in the court that the press and public have not expressed confidence over the performance of NAB, hence the prime minister wants a commission to probe the RPPs case. However, the chief justice remarked, “You want us to review the judgement which you have accepted.”

Wasim Sajjad contended that after the judgement of the apex court in the RPPs case, his client appeared twice before the court and accepted its verdict, but after the emergence of subsequent developments, his client being the prime minister requested the court to appoint a commission in the matter. “I cannot understand as to why a sitting prime minister is not trusting the National Accountability Bureau,” the chief justice observed. He asked Sajjad what message does the prime minister’s lack of trust in NAB give. Justice Iftikhar recalled that Yousaf Raza Gilani remained the prime minister for long period but he has to leave his office on account of the judgement of the apex court. The case will be heard on March 18.

 

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

 

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